Early History
The earliest written records of moringa date back to the 1st century AD, when it was mentioned in the Sanskrit text, the Charaka Samhita. In this text, moringa was praised for its medicinal properties and was used to treat a variety of conditions, including diarrhea, dysentery, and eye infections.
Moringa in Ancient Egypt
Moringa was also known in ancient Egypt, where it was used as a food and a medicine. The Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical texts in the world, mentions moringa as a treatment for skin conditions and as an aphrodisiac.
Moringa in the Roman Empire
Moringa was also known in the Roman Empire, where it was used as a food and a medicine. Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, wrote about moringa in his Natural History, praising its medicinal properties.
Moringa in the Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, moringa was introduced to the Middle East and Europe. Arab scholars wrote about its medicinal properties and it was used to treat a variety of conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and kidney stones.
Moringa in the Modern World
Moringa is now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The leaves, seeds, and flowers of the plant are used for food and medicine. Moringa is considered to be a superfood due to its high nutritional content and is used to treat a variety of conditions, including malnutrition, anemia, and diabetes.
Moringa in the Philippines
Moringa is widely grown in the Philippines and is known locally as malunggay. It is commonly used in various Filipino dishes such as soups, stews, and salads. The leaves, flowers, and pods are also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.